Acquisition of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in internal medicine wards - 12/08/11
, Shmuel Benenson a
Address correspondence to Allon E. Moses, MD, Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hadassah Medical Center Ein-Kerem Campus, POB 12000, Jerusalem, 91120 Israel.Abstract |
Background |
Our institution experienced an increase in the frequency of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) clinical isolates, which rose 5-fold from 2004 to 2005. We sought to measure the prevalence of VRE carriage among medical inpatients in a tertiary hospital in Jerusalem and estimate the rate of acquisition during hospitalization.
Methods |
During 2006, we performed 3 cross-sectional surveys, including 1039 patients, representing 3 phases of hospitalization: admission, hospital stay, and discharge. Perianal/stool samples were cultured for VRE.
Results |
VRE carriage was 3.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.8% to 6.9%) on admission, 15% (95% CI = 9% to 23%) at discharge, and 32% (95% CI = 24% to 40%) among inpatients. Among inpatient carriers, 60% of the isolates represented a single strain. Recent previous hospitalization was the most significant predictor for identifying carriers on admission.
Conclusions |
Our study demonstrates that substantial VRE transmission occurred during hospitalization. Identification of carriers on admission should supplement effective application of infection control methods in attempting to decrease VRE nosocomial spread and burden.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Plan
Vol 37 - N° 2
P. 111-116 - mars 2009 Retour au numéro
Article précédent
- The role of colonization pressure in nosocomial transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
- Victoria R. Williams, Sandra Callery, Mary Vearncombe, Andrew E. Simor
- Evaluation of patient participation in a patient empowerment initiative to improve hand hygiene practices in a Veterans Affairs medical center
- Victoria Lent, Elizabeth C. Eckstein, Alan S. Cameron, Rachel Budavich, Brittany C. Eckstein, Curtis J. Donskey
Bienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
L’accès au texte intégral de cet article nécessite un abonnement.
Déjà abonné à cette revue ?